Women Are Posting Photos Of Their Underwear To Protest Teen’s Thong Being Used In Rape Trial

Female activists in Ireland have been posting photos of their underwear online after a barrister in a rape trial drew attention to a female complainant’s thong.

In the case in Cork, the jury was encouraged to consider the 17-year-old’s choice of underwear in the defense lawyer’s closing speech.

The accused was subsequently found not guilty.

Following the trial, a viral campaign saw women posting images of their own underwear on social media, with the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent:

Counsel for man acquitted of rape suggested jurors should reflect on underwear worn by the 17yo complainant. Following this wholly unacceptable comment, we are calling on our followers to post a picture of their thongs/knickers to support her with the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsentpic.twitter.com/ZkVU0GVAIN

Protests have also been organized in Galway, Limerick, Dublin and Cork by feminist organization Rosa.

More than 900 people have expressed interest on Facebook in the primary Cork protest.

Fiona Ryan, a spokesman for Rosa, said: “This case, and the particular awfulness of what was said, is absolutely endemic in our judiciary system.

“We decided to call this rally not just specifically about this case, but calling for an end to victim blaming in courts.

“The international solidarity that’s been extended to these awful cases when they’re exposed will go a long way towards pushing for genuine legal change, and unfortunately that comes from above, but we’re going to push from below to ensure it happens.”

I hear cameras cut away from me when I displayed this underwear in #Dáil. In courts victims can have their underwear passed around as evidence and it’s within the rules, hence need to display in Dáil. Join protests tomorrow. In Dublin it’s at Spire, 1pm.#dubw#ThisIsNotConsentpic.twitter.com/DvtaJL61qR

The backlash follows the trial in Belfast earlier this year of Ireland and Ulster Rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.

After the case prompted fierce debate on both sides of the border, retired appeal court judge Sir John Gillen was tasked with carrying out a review of how the criminal system in Northern Ireland deals with serious sexual offense cases.

Among the issues to be examined by the review will be support for victims and witnesses, measures to ensure the anonymity of the complainant, the arguments for defendant anonymity and the impact of social media on trials.